County Commission bans synthetic pot, bath salts

October 30, 2012

WEST PALM BEACH

Synthetic marijuana, bath salts and other drug-mimicking substances should no longer be sold in Palm Beach County, the County Commission decided Tuesday.

Concerns about users potentially overdosing or having violent psychotic episodes prompted Palm Beach County to join other South Florida local governments in banning the sale of over-the-counter products found at convenience stores and liquor stores.

Authorities say the substances, with names such as Bliss, Spice and Cloud 9, can be more potent than amphetamines, cocaine and ecstasy.

The county's ban applies to areas outside city limits. Cities can enact their own limits.

Palm Beach County's rule would come with punishments that could include up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail for sellers.

Davie and Dania Beach in August banned the sale of bath salts and herbal incense. Sunrise has banned synthetic marijuana and Lauderhill has banned bath salts.

— Andy Reid

PALM BEACH GARDENS

Police Foundation gets $3,000 grant from IBM

The Palm Beach Gardens Police Foundation, whose mission is to enhance the safety of the community and the effectiveness of the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department, has received a $3,000 grant from IBM Corporation as part of IBM's 2012 Community Grants program.

The Community Grant Program is aimed at helping meet the changing needs and demands of communities worldwide and is intended to help IBM employees and retirees assist their local philanthropic organizations. Police Foundation president Tom Murphy is an IBM retiree.

In accepting the grant, the Foundation Board indicated that it would use the funds to enhance its community outreach via website technology and through the use of social media programs such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and mobile technology applications.

Cardio Tennis is an intense form of exercise designed to work every part of your body, increase breathing capacity, and release stress and anxiety. Cardio Tennis is designed so that anyone can play. You play the ball, not an opponent

The classes will be held on Saturdays from 8 to 9 a.m. The registration fee for each class is $12 for city residents and permit holders and $15 for non-residents. There is a maximum of 10 students per class and minimum of four students per class and students must pre-register at the Tennis Center.

Because the Palm Beach County school system will meet the Florida statute requirement, which stipulates school districts provide 900 instructional hours within the 180-day school year, the district will not be required to utilize emergency make-up days because of Hurricane Sandy.

Additionally, the high school Learning Team Meeting will occur as scheduled on Nov. 1.

— Staff report

TAMARAC

Voters getting their cars towed

Voters at one of Broward's busiest early voting places continued to be towed this week after parking illegally in a private lot across the street.

Since early voting began on Saturday, voters have arrived at the Tamarac Branch Library and found its parking lots full. They've driven to the nearby Casa Linda Plaza strip mall on Northwest 57th Street and parked there instead. And then they've been towed.

For them, voting cost $124.

All County Towing official Sheri Catricala said the property owner called for help, after asking for help from elections staff at the library and being refused.

First Watch restaurant owner Ben Kuncman said the eight to 10 businesses in the strip mall share a parking lot, and all of their spaces were filled by voters starting Saturday morning. Some voters are blaming him — he said one man came in and told him he had ruined his son's Halloween. He also got a death threat, he said.

Kuncman, who uses a wheelchair, said it's not his fault, and that he tried to alert voters that a tow truck was coming.